State College is the largest borough in Centre County in the state of Pennsylvania. The town is dominated economically and demographically by the presence of the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). “Happy Valley” is an often-used term to refer to the State College area, including the borough and the townships of College, Harris, Patton and Ferguson. State College was incorporated as a borough on August 29, 1896 and has since grown symbiotically along with the university.

State College, founded as the Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania in 1855, evolved from a village into to town to serve the needs of the fledgling Pennsylvania State College. It was renamed The Pennsylvania State University in 1953 and it has grown into a major university and town.

State College’s Business Landscape

The State College area initially received the nickname “Happy Valley” during the Great Depression, due to the fact that it was not hit as hard by the economic downturn as other areas. Mainly due to the college scene, State College is considered to be “recession-proof.” As one might expect, the area’s economy is predominantly based in the field of education.

Living in College State, Pennsylvania

The areas in and around State College are filled with historic towns and villages, immense tracts of farmland and an expanse of mountains and forests. The College Heights, Highlands and Holmes-Foster neighborhoods include homes listed as part of the two historic districts in the National Register of Historic Places. These districts and the contributing properties within the districts have been of interest to local residents and visitors resulting in the publication of three Historic District Walking Tour brochures. These self-guided tours provide information on the history of the neighborhoods and contributing properties.

A total of 13 municipal parks owned by the Borough of State College along with the 37 parks owned by the townships provide a year-round menu of recreation programs and special events including: a year-round aquatics program using the two outdoor community pools in the summer and the indoor High School pool during the school year, extensive summer day camps and specialty camps, Millbrook Marsh Nature Center programs, Centre Region Senior Center and the Centre Region Senior Social Club, and sport leagues for adults and youth. Notable special events include: the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, Central PA 4th Fest (July 4 fireworks), Homecoming Parade, Blue & White Weekend and the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON).

Renting an Apartment in State College, PA

Life in State College is very much tied to the academic calendar for students and other residents. You’ll notice when students return from the summer break in the fall all around the town. In State College, people work hard, study hard and play hard, and there is ample opportunity for all. State College, while not large, also appears to be attractive to some younger, educated professionals, who help shape the character of the borough.

The majority of popular neighborhoods in State College, Pennsylvania are available at a high cost relative to the rest of the state and relative to the country as a whole. There are apartments available in the affluent communities of Struble, Pine Hall, Lemont and the areas around College Avenue, Sparks Street, Atherton Street, University Drive and McCormick Avenue.

In the neighborhoods of Borough Center, Houserville and Whitehall Road, Waupelani Drive, there are also higher cost apartments for rent relative to the rest of PA but on a medium cost range relative to the rest of the country. For medium priced apartment rentals in State College, the Waddle and Ridgemont neighborhoods are good options.

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